A new generation of ballplayers is featured in the World Series starting Tuesday night. Houston’s dynamic infield duo of Correa and the diminutive Jose Altuve sparks the top offense in the major leagues. The tantalizing trio of Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager and Chris Taylor has the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Series for the first time since 1988.

“Media day in Oklahoma City was about two people there, and now I’m here and getting ready for the World Series,” Bellinger said, surrounding by dozens of reporters in the Dodger Stadium’s Dugout Club. “I could never imagine this.”

Altuve skipped Triple-A and made it to the major leagues on July 20, 2011, after Houston traded Jeff Keppinger to San Francisco. He singled off Washington’s Tyler Clippard that night in his big league debut.

Houston finished last in each of his first three seasons. Now Altuve is among four Astros remaining from the team that lost a club-record 111 games in 2013, joined by pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Brad Peacock along with utilityman Marwin Gonzalez.

“I’m coming from a team that lost a hundred games in a row three years, three straight years,” Altuve said. “We made the playoffs in 2015. We didn’t make it last year, and after last year we were a little uncomfortable because we were watching the playoff games from home.”

Correa, the top pick in the 2012 amateur draft, was a first-time All-Star this season, hitting 24 homers and driving in 84 runs despite a torn ligament in his left thumb that needed surgery, causing him to miss 42 games.

Bellinger, son of former Yankees infielder Clay Bellinger, started the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City and made his debut April 25 at San Francisco. He found out about his call-up at 2 a.m. after noticing he had four missed calls from Dodgers farm director Gabe Kapler.

At 21, Bellinger became the youngest position player in Dodgers history selected for the All-Star Game, set a National League rookie record with 39 homers and had 97 RBIs in 132 games. Now he’s talking to his dad about his three World Series appearances.

He thought back to watching on television as Derek Jeter led the New York Yankees to the 2009 title.

“It’s pretty easy to fall in love with the guy, on and off the field what he did for that community, what he did for that culture, that team,” Seager said.

Taylor blossomed at 27 after 2 1/2 unremarkable seasons with Seattle. Traded to the Dodgers in June 2016, he started the season at Triple-A, was called up April 19 and earned the leadoff spot in the batting order. He had three grand slams and finished with a .288 average, 21 homers, 72 RBIs and 17 steals.

“It’s crazy how fast things can change in this game, both ways, starting the year in Triple-A, playing in front of like maybe 100 people and then getting to this stage,” Taylor said. “It’s been an unbelievable journey.”

Many news outlets are putting their content behind paywalls, making it available only to paying subscribers. BCNN1 will never do that. Support our mission to proclaim, inform, inspire, and educate by making a one-time contribution today or becoming a regular supporter. As our “thank you” for a contribution of $25 or more, receive 4 Dangerous Spirits to Avoid, by Daniel Whyte III as a CD and MP3 download. CLICK HERE.